Two former employees of Union Bank, Idah Ogoh and Agbo Okwute, have been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly embezzling N4.2 million from the account of a deceased customer, Emmanuel Azer Agenna.
According to the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the duo was arrested on Friday in Makurdi, Benue State, following a petition filed by the bank after the deceased’s family members discovered discrepancies in the account balance.
Oyewale revealed that the family had approached the bank to claim the balance in Agenna’s account for probate processing, but were shocked to find that the balance was lower than expected.
This prompted them to file a complaint with the bank, alleging unauthorized debits on the account.
Further investigation by the bank uncovered a web of deceit and collusion between the two former employees. It was discovered that Ogoh had procured a card linked to the deceased’s account and handed it over to Okwute, who then delivered it to an accomplice for transfer and withdrawal of funds.
The EFCC spokesperson disclosed that several withdrawals were made by the suspects through the accomplice, totaling N4.2 million. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
This development highlights the need for banks to ensure the integrity of their employees and implement robust internal controls to prevent fraudulent activities.
The EFCC’s swift action in apprehending the suspects also serves as a warning to would-be fraudsters in the banking sector.
The full extent of the suspects’ actions and the fate of the accomplice involved in the scheme are yet to be revealed, but the EFCC’s investigation is ongoing.
As the case unfolds, it is clear that the commission is committed to ensuring that those responsible for this brazen act of embezzlement are brought to justice.
